Nuclear installations regulated by ASN

Review of manufacturing files for components produced on the Le Creusot sites: ASN makes restart of the EDF reactors dependent on the transmission of specific results

Published on 20/09/2017 • 10:15 am

Information notice

Areva Creusot Forge plant

Following the detection of an anomaly on the Flamanville EPR reactor pressure vessel in 2014, ASN asked Areva NP to conduct a manufacturing quality review in its Creusot Forge plant (Saône-et-Loire département), which revealed the existence of irregularities in certain manufacturing files.

The first investigations carried out on these files in 2016 identified 89 irregularities concerning EDF reactors in operation. ASN asked EDF to extend the review to all the manufacturing files for components forged in this plant.

The purpose of this extended review was to detect any deviation from either the technical baseline requirements chosen by the manufacturer, or the plant’s internal requirements, or from the contractual or regulatory requirements applicable at the time of manufacture. This review will continue until 31st December 2018.

Starting in July 2017, EDF transmitted the results of the manufacturing file reviews for twelve reactors (Chooz B2, Paluel 4, Saint-Laurent-des-Eaux B2, Penly 1, Cruas 3, Dampierre 3, Belleville 2, Tricastin 3, Chinon B3, Nogent 1, Gravelines 2 and Bugey 3) for which restart following a refuelling outage is scheduled between September and November 2017. At this stage, this review has led to the detection of 601 conformity deviations. ASN analyses the results transmitted by EDF before it authorises restart of these reactors.

For the other reactors, in its resolution 2017-DC-0604of 15th September 2017, ASN asked EDF to send it the results of the manufacturing file reviews no later than two months before the planned restart following the refuelling outage. ASN’s restart authorisation will depend on the results of its analysis.

ASN also asks EDF to extend the scope of the review to include cast (and not only forged) components, as well as other important – but non-nuclear – components manufactured on the Le Creusot sites and today installed on reactors in service.

The French Nuclear Safety Authority is tasked, on behalf of the State, with regulating nuclear safety and radiation protection in order to protect workers, patients, the public and the environment from the risks involved in nuclear activities in France. It also contributes to informing the citizens.